Is Florida vs. Miami Baseball a Rivalry?
Rivalries are the epitome of college sports. They define collegiate athletics — the tradition, the entertainment, the bragging rights. Florida isn’t immune.
For the Gators, one in particular, however, is fueled with bitter animosity and pure hatred. Not even in football or basketball, but baseball. The annual battle between the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes runs deep in history and comes with bragging rights of state superiority.
But why is the Florida vs. Miami baseball rivalry so strong?
Well, it dates back to 1950, with annual matchups and growing hostility between the two ever since. For that matter, the Gators have had recent success against the Hurricanes. Florida has won four consecutive series and 10 of the last 11.
It hasn’t seemed to dampen the vibe.
“Yeah, everyone here hates Miami,” Florida pitcher Aidan King said. He isn’t a one-off. Gator infielder Landon Stripling: “Both sides want to absolutely beat the crap out of the other.”
On the diamond, emotions can become hot. On both sides, there’s constant taunting, passionate celebrating, and feisty play. In the 2023 series, Florida star Jac Caglianone was seen flipping off the Miami outfield as he rounded the bases after slamming a home run. That only came after a Miami home run the day before, where Blake Cyr, who’s now coincidentally on Florida, stood and stared as the ball left the park.
The next year, Florida outfielder Tyler Shelnut was immediately ejected after launching his bat half-way down the first base line to celebrate a fourth-inning home run that put the Gators up 4-0. Simply, it’s clear that hatred and passion for the game are intertwined in this rivalry, and this year’s series should include nothing less.
However, there are many factors that make the 2026 installment just as much of a high-stakes showdown, away from the rivalry. It’s the first real test for either team this season. Both have had impressive starts, losing a singular combined game, and the pair are both ranked. Not to mention, the all-time record between the two schools currently stands at a tie — 136 wins apiece. Three-game series: that’s going to end. In addition, this will be Cyr’s first return to his previous home since departing last year. He played in 85 games during his freshman and sophomore years, but traded the green for blue before his third.
So the rivalry continues this weekend as the No. 10 Gators travel south to take on the No. 17 Hurricanes with the first game of the series on Friday, with games Saturday and Sunday, as well.
Expect nothing short of another spectacle.
“When we play Miami, there will be a little bit of extra juice, obviously, you know, it’s Florida, Miami,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “It’s a great rivalry.”
Category: Baseball, Feature Sports News, Gators Baseball
